The German startup Biophelion has trained a black fungus to recycle plastic, turning waste into useful materials while simultaneously absorbing carbon dioxide.
Engineers from the German startup Biophelion have presented a unique technology for recycling plastic waste using the black fungus Aureobasidium pullulans. During the process, the fungus not only decomposes plastic but also absorbs the released carbon dioxide, preventing greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, as reported by Gizmodo.
Aureobasidium pullulans is highly resilient and capable of producing substances that can be used in industry. The fungus secretes three compounds during plastic recycling:
• Pullulan – an edible polymer used in the food industry (for example, in edible films and tablets).
• A compound for the production of polyester, which can be used in packaging.
• A lesser-known molecule promising for 3D printing and as a replacement for harsh chemicals in laundry and cleaning detergents.
According to Till Thieß, co-founder of Biophelion, the team aims to bridge the gap between lab research and industrial application: “This time it’s different—we can move directly from academic developments to their real-world application ourselves.”
The new technology opens opportunities for the eco-friendly recycling of plastic waste and could be a breakthrough in materials science.
